The initiative aims to build a new generation of global leaders with strong links to Australia.

Australia Awards are the flagship program of the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, under the Australian Aid Program, and are an important component of Australia’s investment in education. These awards offer long and short-term study and professional development opportunities to citizens from developing countries around the globe. They aim to provide enhanced leadership, knowledge and technical skills to partner governments, tertiary institutions and strategic organizations that are driving sustainable development.

Scholarships have been an important component of the Australian Government’s efforts to reduce poverty and achieve sustainable development since the 1950s.

They aim to:

Develop capacity and leadership skills so that recipients can contribute to development in their home countries.

Build people-to-people linkages at the individual, institutional and country levels

In Africa, the Australian Government offers scholarships and fellowships under Australia Awards for African professionals to undertake long-term studies leading to a postgraduate degree and short-term training leading to the acquisition of new skills and knowledge.

Beneficiaries of the Australia Awards Scholarship become part of a global community of talented individuals committed to changing the lives of people around the world.

Host School(s)

Study in Australia – at any participating Australian institution, including TAFE (Technical and Further Education) institutions.

A one-off Establishment Allowance of AUD 5,000 is payable to assist with the costs of starting life in Australia and commencing your course (e.g. course books and materials, rental deposits, household items, etc).

Awardees, whose families remain in their home country, may be entitled to a reunion airfare to allow them to travel home midway through the course, but this is only available to Awardees whose course is for two years or longer.

Awardees get to go through a 4-6 week course called the Introductory Academic Program (IAP) before the actual study begins, to prepare them for life and study in Australia.

Fees for Pre-Course English (PCE) are also provided where required.

Supplementary Academic Support is another benefit provided to the scholar, to ensure a fulfilling educational experience.

Return economy airfare is provided for Awardees who need to conduct research as part of their coursework either in their home country or within Australia.

You must be at least 25 and not more than 50 years of age at the date of your application.

You must have at least three (3) years’ relevant work experience. This work experience must be in a role relevant to your proposed field of study and your employment organization type (e.g., public sector applicants should demonstrate public sector work experience, and so on). Preference will be given to candidates with greater periods of experience.

You must possess, as a minimum, a Bachelors degree (or the equivalent) from a recognized Institution of at least four years in length with at least a 2.2 (2nd Class Lower Division). You must not already hold, or be studying for, a Masters degree.

You must be willing to make a formal commitment to return to your current employment following completion of the award.

You must meet the general minimum eligibility criteria for Australia Awards Scholarships – refer to the Australia Awards Scholarships Policy handbook.

You must be a citizen of an Australia Awards participating country, and be residing there at the time of application.

You should be able to meet the admission requirements of the educational institution where you plan to undertake your studies on receiving the Award.

Visit this website and navigate to your home country to find more information about eligibility as well as information on how to apply.

As you make your application, take note of the following points:

You must read the Scholarship Policy Handbook before you start the process.

First, confirm the opening and closing dates for your country. You must also confirm the priority areas for which the Australia Awards apply.

Find whether you are required to submit your application online, or as a hard copy, depending on the country you are applying from.

For online applications, go to the Online Australia Scholarships Information system and register there. You will answer a few questions to confirm your eligibility, and then get a username, registration number and password.

For hard-copy applications, contact details on where to get the application forms and templates for supporting documents will be posted on your country’s profile page.

Applications and supporting documents must be submitted before the particular country deadline.

Closing Date

Opening and closing dates differ depending on the participating country.